I have been chasing a great loaf of sourdough my whole adult life, and Proof Bread is the closest I have come in Arizona. Their downtown Mesa bakery is open, bright, and lined with big wooden shelves of country loaves waiting for you to bring one home. Get there early, because the good ones go fast.
That Crust, That Crumb
I grabbed a country loaf on the way home from the farmers market and tore into it in my car like a raccoon. The crust was mahogany and shatter-crisp, the crumb open and tangy, with that unmistakable long-ferment flavor.
More Than Bread
The bakery also offers butter, jams, and pastries worth the detour, but the bread is the reason to be here. Proof is doing real, honest, patient work.